Kill Your Idols: "It Takes a Nation of Millions"

We need more Chuck D., less Flava Flav in the world.

 

That's because there are people who prefer music you've never heard of.

I'm guessing six of these seven:

Massive Attack, Blue Lines
Souls of Mischief, 93 'til Infinity
Tricky, Maxinquaye
DJ Shadow, Endtroducing ...
Company Flow, Funcrusher Plus
Aesop Rock, Labor Days
Madvillain, Madvillainy

But I'm pretty sure your choice would be The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill or All Eyez on Me, right?

 

Oops, seven. I missed the Company Flow one.

And no. I don't even really consider Miseducation a rap album.

 

It's like half rap. So what would be your favorite rap album?

 

Are we talking favorite? Or best? Two different questions.

I'd have to think about both. I have never really listened to "albums." I'm a singles girl. I don't listen to non-released songs by many people, and I'm not sure I've heard the entire album of more than about 5 or 6 on your list.

 

You missed one.

1984-ish

 

Massive Attack: music to sit on my deck on a summer night and chill with a 40 and some herb.

 

I have never understood why Chuck D, probably the smartest, world-aware rapper of his generation, threw his lot in with Flavor Flav.

 

Flavor Flav was crucial to Public Enemy's formula. Without him, the music turns to Chuck D yelling at everyone about why they should be angry. "Cold Lampin' with Flavor" and "911 is a Joke" are almost as defining to Public Enemy's legacy as "Bring the Noise" and "Fight the Power."

Without Flavor Flav, Public Enemy is a niche group that takes itself way too seriously. Have you heard of Kam? How many Dead Prez albums made Rolling Stone's 500 greatest list?

 

I'm with Songbird on this one. Without Rakim, we might not have Nas, Jay-Z, Tupac or Biggie. He changed the genre. And, sure, Jay-Z has had more commercial success, but he still can't touch Rakim lyrically. The God MC's most recent solo album put his lyrical genius on display again. Check out "How to Emcee" from 2:47 to 3:30.

 

I don't buy that. Someone would have come around and encouraged a less animated, more complex delivery. I give credit to Rakim for being the one to do it. His influence is tremendous, but how important was Jay-Z in bridging the gap between respected rap and the mainstream?

Rakim is Chuck Berry. Jay-Z is The Beatles.

Also, this may be the first time in my life I've been on the other side of Rakim on an argument. I would probably put him second or third, along with Nas, behind Jay-Z, on the list of the greatest rappers ever.

 

Where do you rank Rakim, then, as far as greatest emcees ever? If we eliminate impact on the genre on Rakim's side, we should eliminate commercial crossover on Jay-Z's side. That leaves us with who's better as a lyricist, and I have Rakim topping that list every time. I'd put Jay-Z somewhere in the top 10. I'm always interested in this discussion.